ISRO's first attempt towards Gaganyaan human mission, crew module sent into space

The Liquid Propulsion Systems Center (LPSC) of ISRO, after the successful integration of the liquid propulsion system, has sent the crew module to space orbit for the first unmanned mission of Gaganyaan.

Gaganyaan is the first effort by ISRO toward the capability for manned space missions. Under the Gaganyaan program, ISRO will send an unmanned mission into space before sending a manned crew. The crew module is a fully autonomous spacecraft designed to carry a three-member crew into space orbit and return safely to Earth after completion of the mission duration. Bengaluru-based LPSC launched the crew module from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, officials said.

According to ISRO, the Crew Module Propulsion System (CMPS) is a bi-propellant-based reaction control system (RCS) designed to provide precise 3-axis control (pitch, yaw, and roll) to the crew module.

ISRO said the system consists of 12 100N thrusters, a pressurization system with high-pressure gas bottles, and a propellant flow system with associated fluid control components. According to officials, 100N thrusters are rocket motors used for propulsion in spacecraft.

Their capability has been ensured to meet human safety requirements through ground and air tests. Apart from this, the highly reliable Crew Escape System (CES) has also increased the confidence in the human mission plan made by ISRO. CES allows the human crew to separate at any stage before the module is placed in orbit. HLVM3 is a three-stage vehicle, 53 meters long and weighing 640 tons, and has a payload capacity of 10 tons. It has been made extremely safe and many additional things have been installed which ensure the safety of the astronauts.

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